Warsaw. Otwock line, new tracks, bridges, tunnels and viaduct. Tender

The main goal of the works carried out in recent years on railway line number 7 (Warsaw – Lublin) was to improve capacity. Thanks to the addition of two tracks on the Warszawa Gocławek – Warszawa Wawer section, agglomeration traffic was completely separated from long-distance traffic. The tracks were laid, but at the same time the stops were modernized and one new one was built.

At the station in Wawer, only cosmetics are left. On Monday, around noon, we meet three employees painting the strips. At the end of September, the underground passage to the platforms was opened. PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe boasted that they made sure “that the historic elements harmonize harmoniously with modern solutions.” And it must be admitted that this statement is not much of an exaggeration.

“During the modernization of the stop, we found a historic basalt cube that once decorated the platforms. After cleaning, sandblasting and impregnating it, we decided to use it again, despite the visible traces of the passage of time. We placed the basalt cube in the middle strip of the platforms and at the exit from the underpass. Historic elements they also found their place in the underground passage, where we attached historical tiles that harmonize with the new – contemporary – shape, color and form. They contrast with the new terrazzo floors, recreated after the historical ones. We also installed recreated wooden handrails, whose shape refers to the original ones elements” – PKP PLK describes the scope of work.

The building of the former waiting room could also be renovated, but it is no longer used by passengers, and a fireplace shop has been operating for years.

The biggest changes took place at the Warszawa Gocławek stop, which was moved under the Marsa Street viaduct. The platforms now have a direct connection to the bus stops on the viaduct. Unfortunately, for now everyone has to take the stairs because the elevators are not working yet.

The stop has gained an aesthetic shelter, which successfully refers to the winged prototype from the Otwock line, both in terms of the roof structure and the typography with the name of the stop. In the central place there is a substitute for a waiting room, without doors, but with glass walls (with black stripes to prevent birds from crashing). Inside there are benches and supports – backrests for passengers.

A twin shelter was placed on the platform of the Warszawa Grochów stop, built from scratch. It is located at the end of Wiatraczna Street and is intended to facilitate communication for residents of new housing estates that have sprung up in recent years in the area of ​​Drwęcka, Chrzanowskiego and Podskarbińska streets.

But the most impressive shelter is not new, it is located at the Olszynka Grochowska stop. Here the platform is the widest, thanks to which the wings are the widest. The roof is slightly thinner, so it feels lighter. This effect is further enhanced by painting the structure in a light cream color. It is the only one with a building that once housed a waiting room and ticket offices. Today, the doors remain closed and the interior is clearly waiting for renovation.

Next to it, a pedestrian bridge is being built along Chłopickiego Street.

Electronic passenger information boards and stylish, typical station clocks are not working on all the platforms described for now. When will they be launched? We asked PKP PLK and are waiting for an answer.

While modernizing the line, the railway workers also built several crossings over the tracks: above-ground leading to the Olszynka Grochowska Nature Reserve (at Podolska and Podhalańska); underground with ramps at the Gocławek stop (at Korkowa and Goździków). Finishing works are underway in the tunnels at Edisona, Skrzyneckiego and between IV Poprzeczna and V Poprzeczna in Anin.

However, this is not the end, because PLK has just announced a huge tender for new tracks between Wawer and Otwock. On this section, they also want to separate the traffic of long-distance trains and agglomeration railways (KM and SKM). Therefore, four railway crossings will be closed and tunnels will be built instead: in Radość on ul. Water Maiden; Falenica on ul. Walcownicza – Bystrzycka; in Józefów at ul. Cichej – Matejki and the viaduct on the border of Warsaw and Józefów at ul. Verbena – Bruckner.

“We will rebuild eight stops, including in Anin, Międzylesie, Radość, Miedzeszyn, Michalin, Świder and Józefów, as well as the station in Falenica. A modern information system for passengers will be installed at each of them. We are also planning 20 new underground passages, including six of them in locations designated together with local governments and reconstruction of the existing crossing at the station in Falenica. We will rebuild bridges on the Świder River and build new ones. For the comfort of residents, acoustic screens covered with greenery will be installed along the tracks,” PKP PLK announced in a press release.

The investment is estimated at PLN 1.8 billion. The contract is to be signed in 2025, and the works will last until 2028 (taking into account the scope of work, this seems to be a very high deadline).

PKP PLK, in cooperation with the town hall, will also invest in Wesoła, where a tunnel will be built under the railway line no. 2 Warsaw – Terespol. The Capital City Development Authority announced that seven companies are interestedwhich valued their works at amounts ranging from PLN 90.7 to PLN 149.4 million. Offers are currently being analyzed. After signing the contract, the selected contractor will have almost two and a half years to complete the task.

As part of the investment, a tunnel will be built at 1 Praskiego Pułku Street. The road system in the area will change, including: three roundabouts.

Collision-free crossings will also be created in neighboring Rembertów. The viaduct on Chełmżyńska is to be ready at the end of 2025we will wait longer for the tunnel in Marsa Street, the tender was announced in September.